I’ve recently been researching the global land grab, a phenomenon taking place across the world, from Argentina in the west to Cambodia in the east.
As a resident of Botley, it strikes me that the approach of Doric Properties to our community bears many comparisons with the global land-grabbers.
Directors of Doric Properties, John Fraser, left, and Simon Hillcox
An outsider approaches local government officials offering to bring development and modernisation.
A deal is struck behind closed doors. The developer engages in minimal consultation with the local community and is highly economical with the truth. In positive cases, as now in Botley, the local community organises and examines ways of resisting the totally inappropriate model which Doric threatens to inflict upon us.
The struggle continues.
ROBIN PALMER
Elms Road
Botley
Oxford
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